We're apparently living parallel lives with our friends down under.
"In the quest for money and status, Australians are among the hardest workers in the world. But Sydney University academic Dr Caroline West says while work delivers self-esteem, income and social ties, more than four to six hours a day will bring anxiety, exhaustion and a poor quality of life. 'We've structured our lives so the majority of our waking life is devoted to work, which might bring us more money but doesn't make us more fulfilled,' Dr West said."
Most people see their ability to earn more money as a means to move up the corporate ladder and do "better in life". I see the increasingly-long work hours and devotion to a career as an indication that money or a job is taking greater control of their lives, resulting in less and less quality of life.
You could argue that there are some careers where you must put in long hours and for which you must sacrifice much of your time for the greater good. Oh yeah, like what?
Doctors. Military Men. Homicide Detectives. Nurses.
All noble and needed professions, yes. But does one person have to sacrifice so much time out of their life? Who gains from the gift of their time? Society, perhaps. But what about the job holder himself? What about his family? What about the kids whose parent was absent due to the fact that he or she was busting ass at a job?
You only get one life. Do you really want to spend it devoted to your career and getting ahead and making more money? Food for thought.
In addition to the link to the article, I'll leave you with my favorite cartoon that illustrates what I'm trying to say: http://www.cubiclecartoon.com/cubicle_cartoon.cgi?id=17
Freedomringer(08/11/2006)
I agree with you 100%. I think we have been duped into working harder. I feel Americans should work less and enjoy life more. Work harder if you have the need for retail therapy, otherwise enjoy what you have and don't worry about the rest. It will take care of itself.
"In the quest for money and status, Australians are among the hardest workers in the world. But Sydney University academic Dr Caroline West says while work delivers self-esteem, income and social ties, more than four to six hours a day will bring anxiety, exhaustion and a poor quality of life. 'We've structured our lives so the majority of our waking life is devoted to work, which might bring us more money but doesn't make us more fulfilled,' Dr West said."
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